Swiss Armed Forces
Three tasks – one goal: Security for our country. The Swiss Armed Forces defends our country and people against a military attack. It supports the civilian authorities in dealing with natural disasters and in countering serious threats to internal security. And it assists within the context of international peace support and humanitarian aid.
Media releases
GBAD MR: National Armaments Director signs programme agreement as part of European Sky Shield Initiative with the German Federal Ministry of Defence
The National Armaments Director, Urs Loher, and the German National Armaments Director, Vice Admiral Carsten Stawitzki, have signed the programme agreement as part of the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI) for the cooperative procurement of IRIS-T SLM systems of medium-range ground-based air defence (GBAD MR) from the German manufacturer Diehl Defence GmbH & Co. KG. The programme agreement which the Federal Council approved on 20 June 2025 is a requirement for a procurement contract on the GBAD MR systems. Switzerland can benefit from economies of scale and an improved interoperability of the systems through this joint procurement.
“Switzerland's Security 2025”: Global confrontation has direct effects on Switzerland
The security situation around Switzerland is deteriorating year by year. A global confrontation is emerging, with the USA on one side and China and Russia on the other. This has direct implications for Switzerland: the threat of espionage is high and proliferation activities are increasing. The terrorist threat remains elevated. Particularly concerning is the growing online radicalization of youth. In its new situation report “Switzerland's Security 2025,” the Federal Intelligence Service (FIS) assesses the threat landscape facing the country.
Air2030: Current challenges and future steps
Over recent months, a number of challenges have arisen in the Air2030 programme to renew funding for air space protection. The Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) today updated the Federal Council on the current status of the procurement process for the new fighter aircraft F-35A. The Federal Council is supporting the DDPS in the next stages of the procurement procedure and in the diplomatic talks on the fixed price. It still considers this price to be valid. The Federal Council remains committed to procuring the F-35A.
Idea competition for recovering ammunition from Swiss lakes: Evaluation is ongoing
In August 2024, the Federal Office for Defence Procurement armasuisse launched an idea competition for the environmentally-friendly and safe recovery of ammunition from Swiss lakes. The announcement of the results, scheduled for the end of May 2025, has been postponed. Due to the complexity of the ideas, the evaluation is taking more time than planned.
National Armaments Director in talks with Elbit about ongoing procurement projects
National Armaments Director Urs Loher met representatives from Elbit Systems Ltd for working discussions on the reconnaissance drone system 15 (ADS 15) and the Armed Forces Telecommunication (TK A) in Cyprus.
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